Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1887-12-24
CHAPTER XII.
HERoIsM on THE scArro1D.

HEROIsM ON H sCACFoLD.
The cemetery is beautifully located and
finely kept. The scafold had been built
in a little wood at the southeastern side
OF the yard, then outside, but since in
Guided in its boundaries. A monument
to the Confederate dead had since been
erected in this cemetery, and O large por-
ton Of land decided by the cemetery asso-
citation for their burial, and it was at the
edge of this plot that the great tragedy
took place. No element Of melancholy
horror was omitted. A shallow trench
had been already dug within a few feet of
the long and hideous scaffold. so that the
men as they drove up could look upon
their own open grave. The scaffold, which
had just been completed, consisted of a
single long beam extending from one tree
to another, to which the ropes were at
tached, and a narrow platform Of loose
plank extending n this, so arranged
that the knocking out Of props would
Aus it to fall. A considerable number
of spectators were present, but not nearly
so many as attended the execution of An
drews-no general gathering Of tho citi-
zens being permitted-indeed the a
lions had been carried on as secretly "a
possible.
Capt. Fuller, who had chased the men
on the cars and attended the trial at
Knoxville, was here also to see the end.
He had been moved to come by a promise
which he as a Mason had made to Ross.
that he would mark the spot of his burial,
and notify his father, in Ohio. He was
faithful to his promise, though the notif-
cation, owing to the policy of the Con-
federate war department, could not be
made until the close Of the war.
Our comrades mounted the scaffold by
means of steps from behind, and then
stood, all sever, side by side, with the
ropes dangling beside them. at the foot
Of the steps Fuller shook hands with Ross,
for whom he declares he had come to feel
deep friendship. The c%lergymen, with
their souls In indignant protest against
the m Of death, had not accompanied
the procession. There was no help, and
in a few m death in its most awful
form was to come.
Yet the bravery of the seven was such
as to command tho admiration even of
their foes. Capt. Fuller had attended
many military executions during the war,
for such things We're f%earfully frequent on
the Confederate side; yet he says that he
never saw men die as bravcly as these.
With uncovered faces they looked steadily
and serenely on the surrounding foe. But
they were not to die without a word of
testimony that should be long remem-
bered, and which to some hearts then
present seemed the death knell of the Con-
federacy.
Wilson was their spokesman. He asked
permission to say II word before death,
and it was freely accorded. Possibly the
surrounding hundreds expected to hear
some word of pleading or confession
some solution of what still seemed mys-
FERROUS i'll the great raid. Blu if so they
We're mistaken. have received IN ac-
count Of this address from more thar Il
score of persons who wcrc prcscnt-sol-
dlers, citizens and negroes-and it made
the same impression on all. Wilson was
4 born orator, and he now spoke with
marvellous skill and persuasive %cloqucncc.
He had conquered fear and banishcd all
resentment; and his calm and dispassion-
ate carEcstness was such as became Il
man on the threshold Of another world.